Leeds United consider free agents to bolster summer rebuild
With a transfer budget reportedly hitting £100 million, Leeds United manager Daniel Farke is determined to find value as well as quality. While marquee targets like Caoimhin Kelleher and Kostantinos Tsimikas could cost upwards of £40 million, the Whites are also eyeing the free agent and loan markets to add depth without breaking the bank.
Free transfers offer a low-risk solution in a market where fees are spiraling. Leeds have been linked with several out-of-contract names, and one high-profile veteran has just signalled his openness to a move to Elland Road. As spending soars elsewhere, the Whites must balance ambition with financial prudence.
Our view: Scouring the free-agent pool makes perfect sense. Farke needs reinforcements across multiple positions, and any bargain purchase that contributes immediately could prove decisive in maintaining Premier League status.
Jamie Vardy insists he’s still Premier League-ready at 38
Veteran striker’s self-belief shines through
One name on Leeds’s radar is Jamie Vardy, soon to be a free agent after an iconic 13-year spell at Leicester City. Despite turning 38 this summer, Vardy has publicly declared that he can still compete at England’s top level, brushing off doubts over age and fitness.
Speaking to Sky Sports, the ex-Foxes forward was unflinching in his assessment: “Yeah, 100 %. Football’s a crazy world, so you never know what’s going to happen. I’ll keep going until my legs literally tell me, ‘No, you need to stop.’ And my legs are fine.” His confidence has caught the eye of clubs in England, MLS outfits and even a potential Wrexham reunion.
Expert take: Vardy’s speed and work ethic remain his biggest assets, but integrating a veteran striker into a young Leeds squad carries risk. Can his character outweigh any decline in physical sharpness? That’s the million-pound question.
Paul Gascoigne backs Rangers switch over Elland Road
Gazza’s surprising Scottish recommendation
While Leeds supporters debate whether to back a veteran like Vardy or invest in youth, former England star Paul Gascoigne has weighed in with an alternative: Rangers. Gazza believes the Ibrox giants could offer the right balance of competitiveness and platform for Vardy to extend his career.
“Yeah, you could do. Rangers is a tough team to play for, you’ve got to make sure you’re winning every game,” Gascoigne told local media. “I’m sure he’ll score some goals up there.” A move north of the border would keep Vardy in the public eye without making him a direct rival to any of his former clubs.
Editorial opinion: Gascoigne’s suggestion is intriguing but unlikely to sway Vardy’s Premier League ambitions. If Leeds want to challenge for mid-table security, adding a proven goal-getter could be more valuable than a high-profile ‘flash in the pan’ stint with Rangers.
